How to Write a Cold Email That Will Actually Get Read

My first introduction to email marketing started years ago out of sheer laziness. I had a product I wanted to sell, but I knew that cold calling would take up a lot of time. The thought of being on the phone all day didn’t appeal to me at all. So I decided to do it differently: I started working on my very first email marketing funnel.

The Secret: Creating Personas for Targeted Emails

What really made my email campaigns effective was creating personas. These are fictional profiles of your ideal customers, based on research and data. By knowing exactly who my target audience was, I was able to make my message much more personal and relevant.

Here are a few steps to create your own personas:

• Research your target audience: Collect data on their demographics, interests, and pain points.
• Segmentation: Divide your audience into smaller, targeted groups.
• Sketch personas: Make detailed profiles of your ideal customers, including their goals and challenges.

Want to learn more about how to reach your audience effectively? Check out our comprehensive guide on relationship marketing and email marketing.

The power of a good email funnel

With my personas in hand, I started building my first email funnel. This is a series of emails that guide your leads from introduction to purchase. By carefully planning when and what I sent, I was able to warm my prospects up to a purchase step by step.

A few tips to make your funnel successful:

• Start with a catchy introduction: Immediately grab attention with a problem or challenge that your target group experiences.
• Provide value in every email: Provide tips, insights or solutions that can be used immediately.
• Use a clear call to action (CTA): Be specific about what you want the reader to do, whether it's a click, download, or comment.

Curious about the latest trends in email marketing? Read our Dutch email marketing benchmark 2024.

Tips for Writing an Irresistible Cold Email

Now that you have your funnel up and running, it’s time to optimize your emails. Here are a few tips to make sure your cold emails don’t end up in the trash:

• Make it personal: Start with the recipient's name and remove any hint of standardization.
• Be short and concise: No long stories, but get to the point with what you have to offer.
• Add a touch of humor: This can help break the ice and keep attention.
• Test different approaches: What works for one audience may not work for another. A/B testing can help you find the best variant.

Less work, more results

Email marketing is not only a time-saving strategy, but also a powerful way to get your product or service in front of the right people. By focusing on well-crafted personas and a strategic funnel, you can achieve impressive results with cold emails without the stress of cold calling.

Do you have any questions regarding writing a good cold email? Ask them in the comments below!